Khon Kaen

22 May 2017
Human rights lawyers have condemned the arrest and detention of the four latest lèse majesté suspects, including a 14-year-old.   Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) on 20 May 2017 issued a statement on the arrest of Chirayu, Rathathamanun, Akharaphong (surnames withheld due to privacy concerns), and a 14-year-old in Khon Kaen on 19 May. According to the police, the four were arrested for allegedly burning an arch erected in honour of the late King Bhumibol in Chonnabot District of Khon Kaen on 15 May.
24 Mar 2017
A provincial court has once again refused to release Jatuphat ‘Pai’ Boonpattararaksa, telling his defence lawyer to stop saying that his client’s rights are being violated. On 21 March 2017, the Provincial Court of Khon Kaen held the preliminary hearing on the case of Jatuphat, a law student and key member of the New Democracy Movement (NDM).
21 Mar 2017
The authorities have accused three more youth activists of contempt of court for joining a peaceful gathering demanding Pai Dao Din’s release from prison. On 20 March 2017, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights reported that the well-known anti-junta activist Sirawit ‘Ja New’ Serithiwat; Panupong Sritananuwat, an activist from the Dao Din group based at Khon Kaen University; and another law student who requested anonymity had received court notices.
1 Feb 2017
Amid public outcry, a provincial court has refused to release Jatuphat ‘Pai Dao Din’ Boonpattararaksa, an embattled anti-junta activist accused of lèse majesté.    On 1 February 2017, the Khon Kaen Provincial Court in an in camera hearing granted police permission to continue the detention of Jatuphat Boonpattararaksa, a law student and key member of the New Democracy Movement (NDM).
6 Jan 2017
The first lèse majesté suspect under King Rama X claims that prison staff have repeatedly searched his rectum for drugs.    On 5 January 2017, Jatuphat ‘Pai’ Boonpattaraksa, a key member of the New Democracy Movement (NDM) and Dao Din anti-junta activist groups, told Prachatai that every time he returns to prison from court, authorities order him to bend down so that his rectum may be searched.    Despite Jatuphat’s protests that he should not be subjected to this treatment since he is a political suspect, not a drug suspect
29 Dec 2016
The lawyer of the first lèse majesté suspect under the King Rama X has challenged a court’s decision to grant custody permission for his client, saying the hearing was done behind the suspect.     On 28 December 2016, Athiphong Phuphiw, the lawyer of Jatuphat Boonpattaraksa, has submit a petition the Khon Kaen Provincial Court. The petition demands revocation to custody permission of Jatuphat, which the court granted two days earlier. The petition stated that the court granted the permission without asking the suspect’s opinion.
22 Dec 2016
In a secret hearing, a provincial court has revoked bail in a lèse majesté case, ruling that the suspect insulted the authorities in a Facebook post.    On 22 December 2016, Khon Kaen Provincial Court approved a police request to revoke bail for Jatuphat Boonpattaraksa, the first person charged with lèse majesté under the reign of King Maha Vajiralongkorn. The court conducted the hearing in secret and ruled that the suspect has violated bail conditions.
9 Nov 2016
Despite permission from the local military, a Thai university has barred Amnesty International (AI) from showing a documentary about racial persecution in Africa, citing inappropriate timing.      On 9 November, the Deputy Dean of Khon Kaen University’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences cancelled a film show by AI featuring “White Shadow,” a documentary about the persecution of albinos in East Africa.
31 Aug 2016
Police officers in Thailand’s northeast have achieved a new standard of intimidation after pressing charges against two rights advocates for merely observing a seminar criticizing the junta-backed charter.    On Wednesday, 31 July 2016, police officers in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen summoned six people to Mueang District Police Station to hear accusations against them. The authorities accused the six of breaching NCPO Order No.
23 Aug 2016
A military court in Thailand’s northeast has granted bail for a hunger striking anti-junta student activist. A t-shirt with the word “commoners" has been also deemed a threat to national security by a court officer.   On Tuesday, 23 August 2016, the military court in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen granted bail for Jatuphat Boonpattaraksa, also known as Phai, the pro-democracy activist who staged a hunger strike from 6 to 19 August.
19 Aug 2016
The hunger striking activist’s mom has kneed in front of a prison insisting on seeing her son after the activist was again detained due to another charge.   On Friday, 19 August 2016, Jatuphat Boonpattaraksa, aka Phai, an anti-junta activist from the pro-democracy Dao Din group, was arrested at the provincial court of Phu Khiao District for participating in an anti-junta campaign on 22 May 2015.
13 Jul 2016
The Thai military prohibited discussants at a public forum in Isaan, Thailand’s northeast, to talk about politics, referendum, and the lèse majesté law. The authorities however ironically allow them to talk about human right issues only.

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